UKIP candidate
thrown off show

UKIP’s parliamentary candidate for Hastings and Rye has been asked to step down from the hit Channel Four TV show Gogglebox.

Andrew Michael, 55, was told he would have to cease his involvement with the show because he had confirmed his candidacy for UKIP.

A Channel Four statement confirmed: “Mr Michael has confirmed his proposed candidacy as a UKIP MP. Sadly any Gogglebox cast member who becomes a candidate for a political party will have to step down from their involvement in Gogglebox. It’s with great regret that The Michaels are no longer in the show. They have been excellent contributors to Gogglebox, and we are very grateful for all they have given to the show.”

UKIP confirmed last week that Mr Michael was its parliamentary candidate for Hastings and Rye for May’s election.

Mr Michael said: “I am happy to go along with their decision. I have a good working relationship with Channel Four and the producers of the show. I have been on the show since the start for two years. I am quite happy to back out and respect their decision.”

Married with four children, Mr Michael featured, with his family, in the Bafta award-winning programme. He is state-school educated, graduating from the London School of Economics and Political Science with a Master’s degree in European Politics. He lives in Brighton and attends the Greek Orthodox church in St Leonards.

Gogglebox appearances with his wife Carolyne and two of their four children have included discussions about whether Ukip is racist.